Hardware I need an overclockable mid-end gaming rig in the ~$800 price range

[chyyran]

I'm looking at an i5-3570K, which I can get in a bundle with this Gigabyte Z77 mobo.
That's already around $350, leaving only about $450 for mid-end but relevant GPU, case, and 1TB HDD, RAM, PSU and aftermarket cooling.

For the GPU, I guess my best deal would be something like this 7790, which leaves me $300 for case. However, if I can fit a GTX 660 somewhere in there, that's be great, so I can get PhysX and CUDA. Nvdia doesn't seem to have a product in the same "tier" as the 7790 though. I don't think I can get a 660 with enough money leftover for everything else.

Any suggestions?

 

[JustChillin1414]

What about the 650 ti boost? That'll cost around $140.

Or like trumpet said used 660 (you might get a better deal if you buy one auction style).

 

[trumpet-205]

You might want to get used GPU, RAM, and cooler. That will it will cut down the cost.

 

[chyyran]

Ok, I'll go with the 650 Ti Boost

I'd rather not get used parts, just a personal preference. I still have about $300 left for case, cooler, HDD, PSU and RAM.

 

[Vipera]

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[Thanatos Telos]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU Cooler: Cooler Master Hyper 212 EVO 82.9 CFM Sleeve Bearing CPU Cooler ($29.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Patriot Signature 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($52.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($59.98 @ Outlet PC)
Video Card: MSI GeForce GTX 760 2GB Video Card ($254.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($44.99 @ Microcenter)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 500W 80 PLUS Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($39.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $482.93
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-08-29 21:24 EDT-0400)
A bit over budget, but an excellent build.
You can go with a 7950 instead to cut the price, though.

 

[Kirito-kun]

GTX 760 for $250? It's never a good idea to underspend on a GPU.

 

[trumpet-205]

GTX 760 for $250? It's never a good idea to underspend on a GPU.

It is not a good idea to pay less on GPU? What logic is that?

 

[chyyran]

I ended up going over budget by about $100, because I'm an idiot and forgot to factor in a Wifi PCI card and a hard drive, and 13% tax.

Anyways, I found this really good bundle for an i5-4670K + Z87 mobo for $370+tax and S&H, and I managed to find a 660 for $185 + tax after rebate. Guess I got lucky this time. I'm just waiting for my CPU and mobo to arrive in the mail before I can build.

 

[Vipera]

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[BORTZ]

Why do you need something "Overclockable"?

 

[Thanatos Telos]

GTX 760 for $250? It's never a good idea to underspend on a GPU.

My 760 is running games on ultra 1080p@60fps with PhysX enabled. About 70-80 without, and 40-45 with high PhysX. (This is with TXAA and everything. The 760 is a tiny bit stronger than the 7950.)

Ron, return that 660, you can get a 7950 for the same price here.
For reference, the 7870 is a tiny bit stronger than the 660, so imagine the 7950.

 

[Kirito-kun]

My 760 is running games on ultra 1080p@60fps with PhysX enabled. About 70-80 without, and 40-45 with high PhysX. (This is with TXAA and everything. The 760 is a tiny bit stronger than the 7950.)

Ron, return that 660, you can get a 7950 for the same price here.
For reference, the 7870 is a tiny bit stronger than the 660, so imagine the 7950.

Not saying that the GTX 760 is a bad choice. Just saying that if the OP was going spend money on a i5-3570K, he might as well spend a bit more on the GPU. A GTX 770 might a better match for his processor. Spend less on the case, more on the GPU.